West Ham United are close to agreeing a permanent deal for Barcelona star Alex Song on a free transfer.

The Telegraph claims that Barcelona are ready to altogether drop the £5million asking price for the 27-year-old, and will allow him to leave for free in order to offload his £70,000-a-week wages.

The Cameroon international spent last season on loan at Upton Park and made 28 league appearances for the east London club.

Song also qualifies as a home-grown player due to his time spent with Arsenal.